Crusing Lake Toya & Crater Walk
Moderate Activity
Includes meal
Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.
Your day of exhilarating adventures begins when you board a comfortable motorcoach and travel through the countryside the nearby Nishiyama Crater Trail in Shikotsu-Toya National Park.
In March 2000, Mt. Usu erupted, blasting more than 60 new, deep craters around Mt. Nishiyama. It expelled huge plumes of smoke into the sky, and lava flowed down the mountain, engulfing nearby buildings. Upon arrival at this fascinating natural site, you'll travel on foot along wooden boardwalks affording optimal views of the geothermal ponds, steaming craters and buildings buried under lava.
Re-board the motor coach and drive to Lake Toya. This large caldera, 43 kilometers in diameter, was formed more than 100,000 years ago when a volcanic eruption diverted a stream, creating this massive pool. Lake Toya is ice-free year round due to geothermal heating, and trout and smelt fishing is plentiful. The surrounding scenery is spectacular and best appreciated from the water. Board a pleasure-boat cruise and circle around this tranquil, picture-perfect lake with some islands. You also land the island of the lake and enjoy short walk in the forest (weather permitted).
After your cruise, sit back and enjoy a short drive to Mount Usu. Towering 2,404 feet above sea level, it is one of the most active volcanoes in Japan. Mount Usu has erupted four times within the last 100 years, the most recent being in 2000.
Pause to enjoy a Japanese-style lunch before boarding a gondola ride that travels up a ropeway, bringing you close to the volcano's summit.
The upper station's observation deck offers you panoramic views of Lake Toya and neighboring Showa Shinzan, Japan's youngest volcano, "born" in 1945. Climb stairs to a second observation deck for views of Mount Usu's largest crater, which was formed in an eruption in 1977, and the picturesque Hokkaido coastline.
After photographing these majestic vistas, re-board your motorcoach and enjoy a scenic ride back to Muroran and your ship.
Points of interest
Shikotsu-Toya National Park
Lake Toya
Schedule
Special Notes
Carry local currency for purchases. After the gondola ride up Mt. Usu, guests may climb 136 stairs to the mountain's observatory(optional). Wear comfortable, low-heeled walking shoes. This tour involves stair climbing at Nishiyama Craters and is not recommended for passengers with limited mobility. The volcanic eruptions cannot be seen these days.
Please note that the Nishiyama Crater Trail may be closed without prior notice due to bear sightings.
Nakajima Island, which is scheduled to be visited during the Lake Toya pleasure cruise, is not accessible during the winter season, and depending on snowfall conditions, winter operations may continue even from mid to late April.
In such cases, the tour will visit the Lake Toya Visitor Center instead(the entrance fee of Toya Volcano Science Museum is not included). The view from the mountain is weather permitted.
Exceptional Value
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Moderate Activity
Includes meal
Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.
Your day of exhilarating adventures begins when you board a comfortable motorcoach and travel through the countryside the nearby Nishiyama Crater Trail in Shikotsu-Toya National Park.
In March 2000, Mt. Usu erupted, blasting more than 60 new, deep craters around Mt. Nishiyama. It expelled huge plumes of smoke into the sky, and lava flowed down the mountain, engulfing nearby buildings. Upon arrival at this fascinating natural site, you'll travel on foot along wooden boardwalks affording optimal views of the geothermal ponds, steaming craters and buildings buried under lava.
Re-board the motor coach and drive to Lake Toya. This large caldera, 43 kilometers in diameter, was formed more than 100,000 years ago when a volcanic eruption diverted a stream, creating this massive pool. Lake Toya is ice-free year round due to geothermal heating, and trout and smelt fishing is plentiful. The surrounding scenery is spectacular and best appreciated from the water. Board a pleasure-boat cruise and circle around this tranquil, picture-perfect lake with some islands. You also land the island of the lake and enjoy short walk in the forest (weather permitted).
After your cruise, sit back and enjoy a short drive to Mount Usu. Towering 2,404 feet above sea level, it is one of the most active volcanoes in Japan. Mount Usu has erupted four times within the last 100 years, the most recent being in 2000.
Pause to enjoy a Japanese-style lunch before boarding a gondola ride that travels up a ropeway, bringing you close to the volcano's summit.
The upper station's observation deck offers you panoramic views of Lake Toya and neighboring Showa Shinzan, Japan's youngest volcano, "born" in 1945. Climb stairs to a second observation deck for views of Mount Usu's largest crater, which was formed in an eruption in 1977, and the picturesque Hokkaido coastline.
After photographing these majestic vistas, re-board your motorcoach and enjoy a scenic ride back to Muroran and your ship.
Points of interest
Shikotsu-Toya National Park
Lake Toya
Schedule
Special Notes
Carry local currency for purchases. After the gondola ride up Mt. Usu, guests may climb 136 stairs to the mountain's observatory(optional). Wear comfortable, low-heeled walking shoes. This tour involves stair climbing at Nishiyama Craters and is not recommended for passengers with limited mobility. The volcanic eruptions cannot be seen these days.
Please note that the Nishiyama Crater Trail may be closed without prior notice due to bear sightings.
Nakajima Island, which is scheduled to be visited during the Lake Toya pleasure cruise, is not accessible during the winter season, and depending on snowfall conditions, winter operations may continue even from mid to late April.
In such cases, the tour will visit the Lake Toya Visitor Center instead(the entrance fee of Toya Volcano Science Museum is not included). The view from the mountain is weather permitted.